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Holyoke City Council is moving forward in its pursuit of grants to fund a walking path that would be located on the south side of Johnson Street from Highway 385 to Melissa Memorial Hospital. A letter of intent to Colorado State Trails Grant was approved by the council at its regular meeting Tuesday, June 2. Councilman Ray Bailey reported to the board that a committee officer had visited Holyoke a couple of weeks ago and walked the proposed trail. She also offered information to the city on things they could do to increase the likelihood of receiving the grant. If awarded, the Colorado Trail Grant will cover up to 70 percent of the costs. The application deadline is Nov. 2, and the city has put together a timeline, listing the necessary tasks that need done in order to qualify for the grant. The City has divided its whole walking path plan into six phases, with the first being the section on Johnson Street. The city maintains it is not committed to the project until grants are awarded and approved by the board. It was also noted by Bailey that he has received enthusiastic reactions in support of the project from Phillips County Commissioners and both administrators from Regent Park and MMH.

Police Chief reports Police Chief Phil Biersdorfer provided council members with a re-formatted report following the suggestions made by the council at the May 19 meeting. He noted code enforcement officer Dawn Archibeque will also be in attendance at the meetings from now on to give her own reports to the council. Biersdorfer told the board about a break-in that occurred at Heginbotham Library the week before. The robber entered the library by breaking a window in the back and crawling through. Approximately $100 in cash and checks was taken out of the register. However, no other damages or missing items were reported. An undercover sting investigation, performed by the State Department of Revenue’s Liquor Enforcement Division, led to two local businesses being cited for selling to minors, according to Biersdorfer. The employees responsible for the sales at both Hometown Liquor and First Dragon will have to appear in County Court sometime in the near future. This is the second citation in the last two years for both businesses, who now face possible suspension or revocation of their liquor licenses, depending on the State Dept.’s decision. In other police dept. news, Biersdorfer told the council he is working on getting a web site going for the police dept. The web site will include information on city laws and ordinances. He is also working on building a business email directory. This will allow him to send out a mass email to inform or warn the public, should the need arise.

Other business In other business, Holyoke City Council members: —noted there will be a vote at the next council meeting on Tuesday, June 16 to appoint a replacement for the vacancy left by Sara Bohrer’s resignation. —accepted a recommendation from Holyoke Planning Commission to zone the Kienholz land, on the south side of town, as residential. This land was annexed by the city approximately two years ago. —approved a memorandum from NECALG regarding an amendment to the Articles of Association that allows a board member to serve more than two terms. —granted a wage increase for lifeguard Pamela McWilliams to $7.43 per hour for earning her WSI (Water Safety Instruction). —were informed by City Supt. Mark Brown that a representative of Senator Mark Udall will be at City Hall Friday, June 19 to hear concerns and recommendations from city council members.